Young The Giant made a stop on their spring tour at The Rave in Milwaukee last Sunday (March 23). Fresh off their new record Mind Over Matter, the band is making its way around the United States promoting the new album. Although it was a Sunday, hoards of concert-goers still filled the floor of The Rave Hall for the show.
The opener, Vance Joy, was a great pick to have on the tour. The Australian singer-songwriter James Keogh, as well as his touring band, brought an acoustic vibe to the stage with songs off of his EP God Love You When You’re Dancing. He played an acoustic guitar for the first part of his folk rock set, but ended it with a ukulele. The ukulele was definitely fitting, as he closed off the set with his well-known song “Riptide.” Although his presence on stage was short-lived, the audience was very intrigued by his interesting monologues between songs, amazing falsetto voice, and cute accent.
Young The Giant was next up on the bill. After a melodic interlude “Slow Dive,” the band started off the set with an energized “Anagram” and went right into a single off the new record “It’s About Time.” By now, lead singer Sameer Gadhia, along with the rest of the band, had the crowd warmed up and enveloped in the music and the moment. Veteran fans definitely enjoyed it when they played older songs off of their self-titled album like “I Got,” “Guns Out” and “Strings.” Mid-set was the perfect spot for “Firelight,” a slower song off the new record, which prompted the crowd to sway and wave their hands to the beat of the song.
Later on in the set, they played “Cough Syrup,” prefacing it as one of the first songs they have played together as a band before becoming a national touring act. Looking back, the band has definitely matured from their self-titled album to Mind Over Matter. For the band, “Cough Syrup” emulates this growth.
They closed the set off with 2013 single “Crystallized,” but came back for a three song encore after roaring applause and some chants. They started off slow with “Apartment” and proceeded into “Mind Over Matter.” Their last encore song was everyone’s favorite “My Body,” which the entire crowd sang and danced along to. The night was rounded off as two members of the band took part in an unexpected crowd-surf at the end of the song.
If you missed this show, definitely catch them on their next visit to Milwaukee! The band brings to the stage a lively and euphoric energy that is not to be missed.